Frankenmuth police: Man who smells like gas hides in back seat of car, beats woman

Frankenmuth police are investigating a report of an assault in on Feb. 27.

FRANKENMUTH, MI — A woman was struck multiple times in the head and neck after a man waiting in the back seat of parked car tried to steal her purse, police said.

The Frankenmuth Police Department responded to a report of an assault about 10 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, on South Franklin near West School Street in Frankenmuth.

Upon arrival, officers located and interviewed a middle-aged woman who said she had left a residence and gotten into her vehicle that was in a private drive.

The victim said that unbeknowst to her, there was an unidentified man in the back seat of her vehicle. The man demanded her purse, and when she hesitated, she was stuck from behind in the head and neck area multiple times with an unknown blunt object.

The man then fled. He is described as a 30-year-old white man who smelled of cigarettes and a petroleum- or gasoline-based product, police said.

The Michigan State Police K-9 team from the Tri-Cities post assisted Frankenmuth police at the scene.

Mobile Medical Response treated for abrasions at the scene.

Evidence was located that police believe was used in the assault and left behind by the man. The investigation remains open, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Frankenmuth Police Department at 989-652-3430 and direct tips to Detective Randy Flathau at extension 161.